The Swedish music streaming service has been given greater access to users who are practicing social distancing. While this time is critical for building brand intimacy, the company cannot lose focus on long-term innovation.
In our latest round-up, we look at how Africa lacks anti-counterfeiting tools, how a growing proportion of companies are affected by infringement, Bulgaria bolstering its digital trademark offering, and much more.
Canadian company Norwood Industries Inc has suffered a double blow in its dispute with Swedish competitor JM:s Plåt & Mek AB over marks containing the prefix ‘lumber’. Read more
Swedish IP legislation is based largely on European and international regulations and provisions, as well as international treaties on IP rights. Read more
In a decision under Paragraph 7 of the ‘.se’ Policy, a WIPO arbitrator has found that it was unclear whether the domain name holder was targeting the petitioner and that the dispute may exceed the scope of the policy. Read more
Establishment through use of a mark will give the same protection as if the mark is registered; however, the bar is set high for demonstrating establishment through use. Read more
In our latest news digest, we look at the US Supreme Court confirming that it will rule on scandalous trademarks, a retailer called Pooey Puitton going up against Louis Vuitton, IP Australia joining TMclass, and much more. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at a study showing the scale of illicit alcohol, a Counterfeit Mini ad being lauded, luxury brands' increasing use of sound design in their products, and much more. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at more trademark applications related to the #MeToo movement, the Swedish IP Office warning against fake election posters, a US court having its say on trademark bullying, and much more. Read more
Unlike the EU Intellectual Property Office, the Swedish Patent and Registration Office will examine applications on both absolute and relative grounds. Read more
Any natural person or legal entity can apply for a mark and representatives do not require a power of attorney before filing. Anything that can be graphically represented is eligible for trademark protection. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look the Qatari government continuing its counterfeit crackdown, a cheese stand-off between the EU and Mexico, and much more. Read more
In a victory for international outdoors clothing company Timberland, the Patent and Market Court has found that there was a likelihood of confusion between the mark TIMBERZ and the earlier mark TIMBERLAND for clothing. Read more
The Swedish Patent and Market Court has upheld a decision of the Patent and Registration Office finding that there was a likelihood of confusion between Diamond Quest’s JOHN WHITE mark and JTI’s earlier JOHN SILVER marks for cigarettes. Read more
Two opposition procedures filed by the Foundation for the Protection of the Traditional Cheese of Cyprus, which owns the collective mark HALLOUMI, have had different outcomes before the Swedish Patent and Trademark Office. Read more
Sweden is one of the few European countries where a black-and-white mark is regarded as covering all colours. However, in a recent case involving two figurative marks, the Patent and Market Court has held that the scope of protection of the earlier mark was limited to its black-and-white representation. Read more
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the relocation of the design and trademark department, the Swedish Patent and Registration Office looks back on a busy year. Read more
Albihns.Zacco AB has been expelled from the Association of Swedish Intellectual Property Law Firms (SEPAF) for breach of the organisation’s ethical rules. The decision highlights some of the issues that can arise from IP firm mergers.
As of October 1 2012, the Swedish Patent and Registration Office is applying a new practice concerning the examination of formalities in trademark and industrial design matters. In essence, the new practice simplifies the process for users in matters where the office used to require a signature in original handwriting.
The Administrative Court of Appeal has held that a couple who had sold counterfeit goods on Sweden's largest online auction site were liable to pay VAT on all sales. The decision is significant in that it provides a new tool to prevent the trade of counterfeit goods on the internet.
The Supreme Court has announced that it will hear an appeal filed by the Swedish arm of electronics giant Sony against a decision from the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal held that Sony Sweden had infringed the rights of the owner of the I-LINK mark because its website linked to other sites that featured the term 'i-link'.
The Internet Infrastructure Foundation has issued new registration rules for the '.se' domain space. The rules, which will be implemented next month, are more relaxed than the previous regime and will allow any natural or legal person to register almost any name.
In Sweden, exclusive rights to designs can be established by filing an application for: a Swedish national design registration; a registered Community design; or an international application to register a design through the Hague System, designating the European Community. Read more
The Design Act was amended in 2002 to reflect changes at EU level to harmonise IP laws within the European Union. As a result, Swedish design law is largely consistent with the rules that apply in other EU member states. Cases handed down by the EU courts and legal literature regarding the EU design system are, in many cases, also relevant for the interpretation of the Design Act. Read more
In Sweden, exclusive rights to designs can be established by filing an application for: a Swedish national design registration; a registered Community design; or an international application to register a design through the Hague System, designating the European Community.
The Patent and Registration Office has cancelled the trademark registration for DÄLVADOS for alcoholic beverages following an opposition by INAO and IDAC, two French organisations that monitor the use of a large number of protected GIs. Among other things, the office found that DÄLVADOS alludes to CALVADOS, a protected GI identifying an apple brandy from the Calvados area in north-western France.
The longstanding dispute between Kraft/Marabou and Mars in Sweden over the use of the marks M and M&M’S, respectively, for chocolate-covered candy, has finally been settled.
In Sweden, the Trademarks Act 1877/2010 sets out the framework for trademark protection. The legislation is based on the EU Trademark Directive (2008/95/EC), which has direct effect in Sweden. Read more
Swedish Match has become the first party to take advantage of the opportunity to file joint proceedings under trademark and unfair competition laws at the new Patent and Market Court.
A recent case in the newly inaugurated Patent and Market Court between two large food manufacturers, Orkla and Nestlé, has become the most expensive trademark dispute in Swedish history. In the latest development, the Patent and Market Court found that Nestlé infringed Orkla’s mark due to enhanced reputation of the FELIX brand.
